Source: Air Canada
The 2024 season of Dreams Take Flight concluded with the last flight of the year departing from Calgary on November 19, whisking deserving children away for an unforgettable day at a theme park in California.
Over the last 12 months, more than 900 children from across Canada had the chance to leave the stress of every day life behind for a day of magic, joy and new cherished memories. Organized in eight different chapters, the season started last spring with a flight from Halifax followed in the fall by flights from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal.
“We had the opportunity to fly over 900 kids on unforgettable trips this season,” said Rebecca Smillie-Nedelec, Director, Community Engagement. “We shared and experienced so many special, heartwarming moments. At the end of one Dreams flight, the children met two of our pilots, captain Justin and first officer Calvin. They were so excited that all 118 children signed a beach ball to thank them, leaving the pilots visibly emotional. Those are the moments where the impact hits home.”
“2024 marked the 35th year of Dreams Take Flight. We have gone far since our humble beginnings in Toronto in 1989. This year saw hundreds of active and retired Air Canada employees, as well as external volunteers from all 8 chapters, bring joy and hope to over 1,000 deserving children from across Canada. Whether they went to a theme park in LA or Orlando, each had the opportunity to have one day of fun and memories that will last them a lifetime. Here they can see that dreams do come true,” said Paul Bouchard, President of Dreams Take Flight National. “We could not do this without the support of the Air Canada Foundation as well as all of our volunteers and supporters. But we don’t rest on our laurels—now it’s time for us to start preparing for next year’s flights!”
“A heartfelt and immense thank you to all the dedicated Dreams Take Flight volunteers, Air Canada and Air Canada Foundation employees, whose passion and commitment turned these dreams into reality. You make magic happen every time and we are so grateful to each and every one of you,” said Rebecca Smillie Nedelec, Director, Community Engagement.
The core mission of the Air Canada Foundation is to support the health and well-being of children across the country. Dreams Take Flight is one of the programs fulfilling that mission by creating hope and resiliency for children facing adversity.